Emanuel "Chris" Welch

Government & Politics

Welch launches private working group to respond to sexual harassment, but it’s off to a rocky start

Ben Szalinski, Brenden Moore

One Democrat says she worries the Democrat-only body is a ‘PR stunt’

House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch stands beside Gov. JB Pritzker during a 2024 news conference in the West Loop.

Government & Politics

‘More to learn’ on Benton harassment case before judging Speaker Chris Welch, Gov. JB Pritzker says

Mitchell Armentrout

Pritzker said an inspector general’s report on allegations against ex-state Rep. Harry Benton reveal “holes in the system” and not necessarily the need for a change in House leadership.

Ex-Rep. Harry Benton is pictured on the House floor, with text from the legislative inspector general’s report that found he engaged in “a pattern and practice of inappropriate sexual conduct.”

Illinois

Report finds ‘pattern and practice’ of sexual harassment by ex-Rep. Harry Benton

Brenden Moore, Ben Szalinski

Speaker knew about 2023 incident but left it unaddressed for months

House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, D-Hillside, speaks on the floor.

Education Desk

Welch ‘committed’ to more funding for Chicago Public Schools — and the school board is banking on it

Brenden Moore

City schools’ budget for $150M that the state has not allocated

Illinois

Illinois House committee advances bill banning immigration detention centers near homes, schools

Brenden Moore

The bill comes months after Broadview facility became focal point of Midway Blitz

House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch joins members of his caucus at a news conference outside of his Capitol office on Wednesday, Oct. 15, to decry the ongoing aggressive federal immigration enforcement in Chicago.

Government & Politics

Illinois lawmakers condemn ICE raids in Chicago, weigh state response

Brenden Moore

State leaders pledge to explore new protections for immigrants but say their power is limited

House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch speaks during the inauguration of the 104th General Assembly on Wednesday, Jan. 8.

Government & Politics

Budget constraints, caucus tensions face House Speaker Welch in his third term

Peter Hancock

Recent caucus erupted into shouting, drawing criticism from governor

House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch, D-Hillside.

Government & Politics

Welch introduces bill to allow legislative staff to unionize

Peter Hancock

The Illinois House Speaker says he hopes to pass the bill in the upcoming veto session.

House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, D-Hillside, is pictured at a news conference in the governor’s office earlier this year.

Government & Politics

Illinois House Speaker’s staff could test limits of Workers’ Rights Amendment

Peter Hancock

A labor expert says it could be a hard legal argument to make.

The Rev. Edward Ohm speaks to an anti-abortion gathering Wednesday in the rotunda of the Illinois Statehouse.

Anti-Abortion Advocates Say Lawmakers Going 'Against God's Will'

Brian Mackey

A small gathering of anti-abortion activists prayed in the Illinois Capitol Building Wednesday. It comes as lawmakers are considering whether to further…